Up to 24mm of rain fell in parts of Northern Ireland in just six hours yesterday morning, leading to fears that this weekend's weather could result in heavy flooding in parts of the city.

Precautionary flood prevention measures are now in place in east Belfast over expected high tides.

Disaster was averted in the area earlier this month when the predicted tidal surge failed to breach defensive barriers of some 40,000 sandbags. But, according to the Rivers Agency, early indications predict the surge is not expected to be of the same scale as that which occurred earlier this month.

Victoria Park will remain closed today as a precaution.

Any snowfalls are expected to be confined to high ground but there is a possibility of some snow reaching lower levels.

A spokesperson for the Met Office said that while there will be persistent showers and gales everywhere, they are not expected to be as heavy as yesterday.

Tomorrow morning is set to bring some bright spells before further wind and rain build up to a wet and windy Monday morning.

Tuesday is expected to be the coldest day of next week with temperatures dropping as low as six degrees celsius before temperatures level out.

A Roads Service statement issued last night said: "Salting of roads on the scheduled network considered to be at risk of ice and snow is planned this evening.